Welcome to Gaia! ::

I wrote something up about Ostara. I thought I'd share.




Almanac says...
Ostara is on March 20th this year (next year, as well)
It will be a waning moon.
The moon enters Sagittarius at 12:43 am (Pacific) on this day

Notes from Sabbats by Edain McCoy
::Correspondences::
Other names- Eostre, Eostre's Day, Alban Eiber, Bacchanalia, and Lady Day.
Symbols (Savvy's Note: these are just what this book listed)- eggs, new moon, butterflies/cocoons
Colors- pink, yellow, grass green, all pastels, robin's egg blue
Deities- youthful and virile God and Goddess (Savvy's note: this book forgot to mention goddesses Ostara and Eostre)
Activities- Dying eggs, looking for spring growth
Taboos- None known
Animals- Rabbits, snakes (Savvy's note: Silly Edain. She forgot about robins)
Stones- aquamarine, rose quartz, moonstone
Food- eggs, honey
Attunement teas- dandelion, egg drinks, hyssop, linden
Ritual oils- lotus, magnolia, ginger


Random...(from Sabbats by Edain McCoy)
*Ostara was the Virgin Goddess of Spring in ancient Germany

*Many pagans like to use natural dyes that come from flowers and herbs for eggs, rather than relying on the commercially-packaged kits. To get the natural dyes, boil a large handful of an herb or flower until the water is well-colored. Place the water in a heat-resistant glass cup, mug, or other place a hard boiled egg gently into the mixture.

*Here is a list of the most commonly used natural dyes, but feel free to experiment and find your own combinations with any non-toxic herb, vegetable, or flower.
Yellow- Carrots, Turmeric, Fenugreek, White grape juice
Orange- Onion skins, Paprika
Red- Red onion skins, Madder root, Cayenne
Red Violet- Purple grape juice, Red rasberries
Green- Carrot tops, Bracken
Blue- Blueberries, Red cabbage, Black rasberries
Blue-Violet- Blackberries, Beet juice, Mulberries
Pink- Heather

*The colors you choose to paint your eggs can also have significance. Below is a list of colors and their general pagan meanings.
Red- New life, Vitality, Lust, Sexuality, Color of the root chakra (energy center), Color of the Mother Goddess, Strength, War, Heat, One of the traditional colors of May Pole ribbons
Orange- Color of the God, Attraction, Color of the naval shakra, Summer
Yellow- Creativity, Knowledge, Intelect, Color of the solar plexus chakra
Green- Color of the Earth Mother, Fertility, Prosperity, Color of the heart chakra, Earth
Blue- Healing, Peace, Meditation, Astral projection, Color of the throat chakra, Cold, Air, Robin's Egg, Spring, The Virgin Goddess, New life, The waxing year
Indigo- Past lives, Healing, Clairvoyance, Color of the forehead chakra (third eye)
Violet- Healing, Tranquility, Ending quarrels, Color of the crown chakra, Ability to contact other intelligences
White- Purification, Barrier against nehativity, Color of the Virgin Goddess, Good fortune, Color of death and mourning (in Eastern traditions), One of the traditional colors of the May Pole
Black- Mystery, Absorbtion, Color of the Crone Goddess, Winter, Color of death and mourning (in Western traditions)
Silver- The moon, Triple Goddess, Psychicism, Spirituality, Water
Gold- The sun, The God, Activity, Money, Fire
Brown- Autumn, Animals, The waning year, Earth
Pink- Rmantic love, Peace Color used for both Ostara and Bealtaine
Turquoise- Spiritual knowledge
Red-Violet- Hidden knowledge, Color of the Medieval occultists
Pale Green- A traditional color of Ostara
Pastels- Traditional Ostara colors since the Middle Ages


(Savvy's Note: Remember how the book mentioned egg drinks can be an attunement beverage or Ostara? Well, here's an Egg Nog recipe from Sabbats)

Egg Nog
(Makes approx. 1 gallon)
12 eggs, separated
1 lb. confectioner's sugar
1 1/2 cups of whiskey, ale, or dark rum
2 quarts whipping cream
3/4 teasthingy ground nutmeg
1/4 teasthingy salt
1 teasthingy vanilla
1 cup tap water
1 cup milk

Mix the egg yolks, sugar alcohol, and salt and let stand in the refrigerator overnight. The next day, beat the egg whites until just stuff, and mix them and the rest of the ingredients together. Serve chilled.

happy ostaraeveryone and happy birthday heiwa90.

*waves* happy Ostara to all!

Why wouldn't we care? It only comes around once a year! whee